The Sunshine Source - Fall Edition

Volume 20 - Fall Issue (Sept, Oct, and Nov)

The Sunshine Source

Official Florida District Publication

IN THIS ISSUE 01 02 06 07 08 09 11 12 13 14 15 17 21 23 24

New Clubs Executive Messages Grants and Scholarships Favorite Key Club Memory Membership Tips Kiwanis Family International Partners Trustee Message Governor’s Project Fall Service Key Club Week DCON 2025 Service Spotlight Resources Contact Information

WELCOME, NEW KEY CLUBS! Jupiter Christian School Davenport High School Congratulations on your chartering, we’re happy to have you!

01

EXECUTIVE

MESSAGES

Governor Alejandro Ganaza Hello, Mighty, Mighty Florida District, I am so excited for you all to read the second edition of the Sunshine Source for this service year!

Following our August District Board Meeting, I am confident in the amazing group of individuals leading the district. I hope you all are getting settled into the new school year, and I encourage you all to try something new, whether in our outside of school. We all work on so many projects, research, and events, so make sure to take the time to pace yourselves and rest as the fall season can get pretty hectic.

This year, our Florida District Board voted on the following service goals: 225,000 total service hours, 70,000 governor's project hours, 22,750+ members, and 15 new clubs. I am very confident that we will break these goals and set the bar for our district even higher! Make sure you are attending/hosting club meetings, meeting with your board, and discussing goals on membership retention with your Lt. Governor.

The Key Club Kick-Off Conference (KCKC) is held in the months of September and October, depending on your Zone. This is a great opportunity to learn more about your position and other aspects of making your year a successful one. If you have any questions about KCKC, don't hesitate to reach out to your Lt. Governor, Zone Administrator, or even myself.

As always, be sure to use #LitforLifeFLKC to share your service with the district. I am eager to see the creative service projects your clubs complete for this year’s Governor’s Project! If you need to reach me, my Instagram is @alejandroganaza_ and my email is below. I look forward to seeing the incredible work that each of you accomplish this fall!

Yours in service and friendship, Alejandro Ganaza governoralejandro@floridakeyclub.org

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Secretary Daniela Aguas Hello, Key Club Members!

I hope the start of school went well for you all! To my secretaries, don’t forget that Monthly Reports are always due on the 10th of the month after.

Additionally, make sure your club's officers have completed your club’s Officer Information Form (OIF). These forms are vital for all future communication across the District. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, our District has, as of August 16th, completed 49,034.12 service hours with 10,190.55 of those being Governor’s Project hours. I cannot wait to see how many more service hours we complete throughout the year! As always, I’m available for questions at secretary@floridakeyclub.org, so never hesitate to reach out. Wishing everyone a great school year, and an even better year!

Yours in Service and Leadership, Daniela Aguas secretary@floridakeyclub.org

Treasurer Issa Allison Hello, Leaders, I hope that your year has been off to a great start full of fun and motivation. Always find time to be positive and stay organized! The Early Bird dues deadline of November 1st is approaching! Getting dues in by then will grant your club a banner patch at the District Conference (DCON). Dues can also be paid by the Regular dues deadline of December 1st. Dues for each member are $17.00 ($10.00 for International and $7.00 for the District). The Florida Opportunity Fund (FLOF) Grant for service projects is available! FLOF covers up to 2/3rds of the total cost of a service project and applications are open year-round. More information can be found on the District website under Dues and Financial. The Youth Opportunities Fund is open! The first application deadline is October 15th. More information can be found on the Key Club International website.

I’m excited for a year full of service, growth, and fun! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, always feel free to email me at treasurer@floridakeyclub.org.

Yours in Service, Leadership, and Friendship, Issa Allison treasurer@floridakeyclub.org

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Editor Willow Young Hello, Florida District, Welcome back to the Sunshine Source! As we move into the school year, I encourage you to pace yourself and use your time wisely. Please continue your amazing service. I also encourage you to fill out the Service Spotlight form so the Florida District can showcase your efforts! To all of my club Editors, please do not underestimate the power of your work. Our District website has many resources available to clubs and I encourage you to take advantage of them. Our District also has a blog! I am looking forward to updating it throughout the year. If you would like to write an article for our blog, or want to see tips on something specific, please reach out to me! As always, I am here to help with whatever you may need and look forward to the rest of the year.

Yours in service, leadership, and friendship, Willow Young editor@floridakeyclub.org

Webmaster Eleanor Koh Hello, Leaders of the Florida District, I hope everyone has had a smooth transition into this school year! While a lot of things have been going on in the district, don’t forget to take time for yourself and have fun. I am always here to help out.

If you still need a Keymmunity account, please contact me. It is an important platform to connect with your Lt. Governor and report all of your great service. To all of the webmasters, keep it up! I encourage you to create your own club websites and social media if you do not already have one.

They are a great method to grow membership, advertise what Key Club is , and teach about our lasting impact. Please visit our Florida Key Club website as it has a multitude of information available to you. As always, never hesitate to reach out and I wish everyone a year full of accomplishments!

Yours in Service, Friendship, and Leadership Eleanor Koh webmaster@floridakeyclub.org

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Executive Assistant Rose Khosh Hello, Florida District!

I hope everyone had a great summer! I’ve loved seeing your initiative for the new school year. As workload grows larger, remember to keep having fun!

For officers, I encourage you to focus on engaging with your members with fun activities and games, club socials, and service projects! The start of the semester is a great time to get to know each other and introduce people to the wonderful world of Key Club.

Maintain engagement not only within your schools, but also at divisional and Kiwanis events. Make sure to reach out with any questions you may have.

Yours in service, Rose Khosh ea@floridakeyclub.org

Want to see yourself on the

DISTRICT BOARD?

Anyone can run! Reach out to your Lieutenant Governor to learn more about the job or contact our Executives and Committee Chairs. Make sure to stay updated throughout the year and keep an eye out for future Sunshine Source articles on running for higher office!

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GRANTS

& SCHOLARSHIPS YOUTH OPPORTUNITY FUND The Youth Opportunity Fund (YOF) is a grant sponsored by Key Club International that provides Key Clubs between $250 and $2,000 for a service project. Applicants must have an adult advisor and the project must fill a need in the community. The application deadline for the first cycle is October 15!

FLORIDA OPPORTUNITY FUND The Florida Opportunity Fund (FLOF) is a grant for service projects that provides clubs with up to two-thirds of the funding necessary to complete a project.

Applications are easy to complete and are reviewed year round!

These are great ways to do more service with higher impacts! The Florida District wants to help clubs any way it can, so apply today!

SCHOLARSHIPS The Florida District of Key Club International offers over 10 scholarships to Key Club seniors! Available scholarships vary from Kiwanis-Foundation sponsored, to recognizing those who have preserved through adversity, to highlighting members dedicated to the Governor’s Project: Lit for Life.

Scholarship applications open October 15, 2024 and close February 15, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST. All scholarship information can be found on the Florida Key Club website under the Scholarships and Awards page.

Questions? Contact Financial Committee Chair Adam Ron at financialchair@floridakeyclub.org 06

FAVORITE KEY CLUB MEMORY Making Connections “My favorite Key Club memory was attending DCON 2023. I learned so much about Key Club and it really made me passionate about service.

I was also able to meet my amazing best friend!”

- Mikhiyah Page, Div 1A

“My favorite Key Club memory was Dance Marathon. It is a fundraiser that my school Key Club does to collect funds for the Children’s Miracle Network and the UF Hospital. The event is a lot of fun and I love raising money for a good cause! - Sofia Montealegre, Div 9A LTG

New Adventures ICON 2024 — It was truly an eye opening experience to the scope of Key Club International and made me appreciate this organization even more! I loved the tour and got to make lifelong friends with Key Clubbers from across the world! - Lina Whyte, Div 17

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MEMBERSHIP TIPS Six Ways to Increase Members

1

KEY CLUB WEBSITE: Share this resource with potential members to give them a comprehensive look at what we stand for.

2

ENCOURAGE RECRUITMENT: Have current members invite friends to meetings and events. Personal invitations make a big impact!

3

MAKE MEETINGS FUN: Spice up your meetings with ice breakers, engaging games, and prizes for participation.

Encourage talking and having fun with fellow members.

4

ENHANCE VISIBILITY: Use social media platforms and bulletin boards to advertise your Key Club. Create eye-catching posts and flyers.

5

PLAN EXCITING SERVICE PROJECTS: Organize projects that are both impactful and enjoyable. Highlight them as key benefits of joining the club.

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OFFER INCENTIVES: Consider starting the year with a special event featuring food or other incentives. This is a great way to draw in members and create buzz!

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BRANCHES OF THE Kiwanis International

Builders Club

Kiwanis International is a service organization that focuses on the well-being of children and community service. Kiwanis operates through numerous service projects, initiatives that focus on youth development, and fundraisers that contribute to the Kiwanis Children's Fund. Kiwanis strives to be a positive influence on children and foster a spirit of leadership and collaboration. Ways to enhance your interaction with the Kiwanis family is to participate in joint-service projects, mentorship programs, or simply reach out to your local Kiwanis club!

Builders Club is a student-led organization that develops middle-school students' leadership skills through community service. The clubs offer both big and small opportunities for children to give back to their community, fostering an early focus on philanthropy. Builders Club also emphasizes promoting life skills, friendship, empathy, and belonging, all of which aid in the creation of future leaders. To get involved, visit buildersclub.org for information on becoming a member or chartering a club.

K - Kids

Terrific Kids/BUG

K-Kids is a student-led organization for elementary school students in grades 3-5.

It is the youngest club of the Kiwanis International Family. K-Kids builds the foundation of service for children. They focus on developing leadership skills through service projects at their school or in their community. They also learn skills such as responsibility and teamwork by working with other K-Kids.

Though these aren't separate branches of Kiwanis, make sure to check Terrific Kids and BUG out! These are more great opportunities to bring the Kiwanis Family to elementary students. Emphasizing the hard work of students who may not always have the best grades but still do their best, these Kiwanis programs are important to making connections with our future leaders!

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KIWANIS FAMILY Aktion Club The Aktion Club is a service organization within the Kiwanis family designed for adults living with disabilities. Through a variety of projects and events, it enables its members to grow as leaders, perform community service, and have a good influence on their local communities.

The club helps individuals develop their confidence and accomplish their own goals while serving the larger good by encouraging inclusiveness and teamwork.

Run by high school students around the world, this club values leadership, character building, caring, and inclusiveness. Focusing on completing service projects each year to help their community, they help members build real-world experiences. Key Club prepares high school students to become the best versions of themselves, leading empathetic, driven lives.

Key Club International

Circle K International Circle K International (CKI) is the self-governing, collegiate branch of the Kiwanis family. They are committed to developing leaders by offering unique service, leadership, and fellowship opportunities that change the world and the lives of their members. By joining CKI, you’ll work with other passionate students to empower your community through inclusivity and service, all while gaining experience for your future career.

Collaborating with other members of the Kiwanis Family is a great way to elevate your impact! Consider inviting your local Kiwanis to service events or including K-Kids or Builders Club members in your literacy-related projects.

Serving in Key Club is all about including and connecting with others! If you want to learn more about how to work with the Kiwanis Family, reach out to the Kiwanis Education Committee at kiwaniseducation@floridakeyclub.org.

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INTERNATIONAL Key Club PARTNERS MAJOR EMPHASIS Erika's Lighthouse aims to ensure no young person feels alone in their depression. This nonprofit organization encourages good mental health and strives to break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Erika's Lighthouse is dedicated to creating a community of empathy and education.

Key Club has partnered with Schoolhouse to bring free tutoring to thousands of learners across the world.

A platform for free, peer-to-peer tutoring where you can receive help, build skills, and pay it forward.They're driven by a mission to connect learners with safe, equitable opportunities to learn, teach, and grow.

PREFERRED CHARITIES Thirst Project hopes to educate the next generation by arming students with information about how they can be a part of social change, make a difference and encourage others to join in the effort.

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UNICEF helps to provide for children’s needs in more than 150 developing countries through community-based services in primary health care, basic education, and safe water and sanitation.

MEET OUR TRUSTEE

International Nicole Bunag Hello, Florida!

My name is Nicole Bunag and I am from the Indiana District. I serve as the International Trustee for the Florida, California-Nevada-Hawaii (CNH) KIWIN's, and Missouri-Arkansas (Mo-Ark) Districts of Key Club International! Some fun facts about me are that, I am a triplet, I play basketball and soccer, my favorite music artist, currently, is Tate Mcrae, and outside of Key Club I love to binge movies and shows on Netflix.

Additionally, I serve on the Global Relations Committee, ICON/100th Committee, and Communications Committee. As an International Trustee, it is my duty to voice your opinions and suggestions, so please do not be afraid to reach out and share any ideas for me to bring back to the International Board. I would love to hear what you have in store! I am thrilled to see all of the accomplishments the Florida District will make throughout this service year. It will be filled with growth, new memories and friendships, productiveness, and abundance.

I am so excited to serve you all and get to know you throughout this service year!

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns. I can’t wait for a great year :) Yours in Friendship and Service,

Nicole Bunag

Key Club International Trustee nbunag@keyclub.org (219)-312-1053 • @nicoleebunag

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24-25 Governor’s Project

Lit For Life

Each year, the Governor of the Florida District chooses a specific theme that clubs can base their service projects around. This year, the Governor's Project is "Lit for Life" which focuses on ensuring every child is given the opportunity to foster proper literacy skills.

ACCESS COMMUNITY EXPOSURE

Providing opportunities through: book drives, exchanges, and fairs.

Developing strong relationships through a shared love of literature.

Exposing our community to literature through clubs, workshops, and talks.

Remember to show off your service with #LitForLifeFLKC! Those who add to the hashtag will be featured in future publications!

More information and resources for the Governor’s Project can be found on the District website. Questions? Reach out to the Service and Partners Chair Diyora at serviceandpartnerschair@floridakeyclub.org

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FALL SERVICE

This fall, serve your community any way you can! Make sure to remember those that may need some extra help. Key Club is all about helping those around us and spreading kindness.

As the school season continues and the months get colder, consider doing projects with your clubs to support the under-served community during this transitional time. You can also connect your fall service projects to the current phase of our Governor's Project, Community!

Read on for some service project ideas and a special look at our upcoming campaign!

General Volunteer at a local food bank Donate blankets and coats to homeless shelters Plan a public trunk-or-treat event Help senior citizens with yard work Start a community garden

Governor’s Project Mentorship programs Pen-pal system School-wide Read-a-thon Literary analysis Tutoring other students Help get back in the groove!

Trick or Treat for UNICEF Our annual Fall campaign, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF USA is coming up in October! The purpose of this campaign is to raise money for UNICEF’s project, Start Strong: Zambia. This project aims to help children in Zambia receive proper nutrition, health care, and education. We encourage everyone to get involved in fundraising efforts, whether by collecting donations, hosting local events, or organizing virtual fundraisers. Let’s come together to make this Halloween not just fun, but also meaningful! In October, a donations link will be shared; this is where you can easily submit the funds you’ve raised.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact the Service and Partners Chair, Diyora, at serviceandpartnerschair@floridakeyclub.org.

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KEY CLUB WEEK Show people what Key Club is all about! Spread the word by wearing Key Club gear and publicizing Key Club Week in local stores, on your school website, in community newspapers — even on a door. Decorate the door of your advisor, a business or a community leader to spread awareness about Key Club. Make sure to tag #keyclubweek in your stories, feed, etc. — your officers could score some winning merch!

Let your friends know why you love Key Club! This is the perfect day to show off how awesome and inclusive Key Club is, and why it matters so much to your school and community. Why not ask a friend to come along to a service project or meeting? It’s a chance for them to see firsthand how Key Club helps us grow as students and have a blast while making a real difference.

Celebrate diversity and equity with the Key Club family. We have members across the globe, and we want to spotlight you! Check out your Instagram story for a GIPHY sticker you can share to show what makes you and your club shine.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is my favorite day of Key Club Week!

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THE BEST WEEK EVER A smile goes a long way. Spread happiness throughout your school by implementing little random acts of kindness, such as leaving cards with inspirational messages on every student’s locker or just simply holding the door for someone else. You can share these kindness posters around your school and community. Post a picture with the hashtag #KeyClubWeek, and your club might win some cool Key Club stickers!

Key Club is the largest high school service organization in the world and is a member of the Kiwanis family. Celebrate the entire family of Kiwanis by getting the whole gang involved. Connect with local Kiwanis, Circle K International, Builders, K-Kids or Aktion clubs and team up for a joint service project or virtual event. If you have a really cool service project, submit it to the service directory by November 30.

NOVEMBER 4-8 Key Club Week gives every Key Club member the opportunity to show what Key Club is truly about: Service. Each day emphasizes service to promote Key Club throughout our homes, schools, and communities.

Florida District, let’s show everyone how passionate we are about Key Club! If you have any questions, reach out to the Membership Development Committee at membership@floridakeyclub.org.

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DCON 2025

“Service Under the Sea!” DCON, also known as the District Education and Leadership Conference is an annual conference hosted by the Florida District of Key Club International for all Key Club members throughout Florida, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos.

WHY GO? Celebrate with over 1,200 members Attend fun, educational workshops Win awards, contests, and scholarships Elect new District Officers Expand your Key Club knowledge Make new friends from around the District

Hope to Sea You There!

WHAT’S INCLUDED? DCON 2025 pin, T-shirt, and more Access to Key Club souvenirs General sessions full of fun and recognition 3 nights of lodging Ample networking opportunities 6 meals throughout Friday and Saturday Exciting keynote speakers An unforgettable experience!

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87th ANNUAL DISTRICT EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

APRIL 24 - 27, 2025 DAYTONA BEACH, FL PRICING: QUAD - $360 TRIPLE - $460 DOUBLE - $560 SINGLE - $760

Consider using the Rule of Thirds! That is, splitting the cost so you pay 1/3, the club pays 1/3 and the Kiwanis club pays 1/3.

Check out the DCON Fundraising Guide on tour website under DCON for tips and tricks on how to fund this tropical experience.

DEADLINES: REGISTRATION OPENS - November 1, 2024 REGISTRATION CLOSES - February 10, 2025 PAYMENT DUE - February 17, 2025 BACKGROUND CHECKS - March 3, 2025 Register through Keymunnity once it opens to secure your club’s spot! Unsure how to register? Go to the Florida Key Club website to find an extensive DCON Registration Guide that walks you through each step.

The DCON Committee is hard at work planning an exciting event. Make sure to go to the District website to find lots of resources on how to prepare! If you have any questions, reach out to DCON Chair Gavin DeVries at dconchair@floridakeyclub.org

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BUILDING UP OUR

COMMUNITY

Over the past few months, members of the West Florida High School Key

Club met with their Kiwanis Club to build picnic tables around their school and the local title one elementary school. Members worked together to design plans, collect materials, and assemble the tables, learning skills in construction and collaboration along the way. West Florida Key Club was able to do this project due to their completion and receiving of the FLOF Grant, a resource that Club Treasurer Parker Beyl says he is “extremely thankful for” and encourages “eveyone to apply.” The club is excited to continue this project as the school year goes on, bringing in different small groups of members each time.

“It was a really fun experience working with power tools. Being able to connect with other members I normally wouldn’t have was exciting and eyeopening!” - Isabella Giddeon, WFHS Key Club member

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SERVICE SPOTLIGHT West Florida Key Club

“Being able to teach these kids helpful life skills while bonding with each other is the reason I do this. I look forward to expanding on this project further.” - Steve Kelly, Kiwanis Club of Pensacola “What is great about this project is these members started the day never having met eachother. After six hours of building and learning together, the left the project with the others’ numbers in their phone. That’s the kind of thing that makes me proud to be an officer.”

- Parker Beyl, WFHS Key Club Secretary/Treasurer

Pictured: Member Isaac Davis drilling the final screw into the third fullycompleted table of the day.

So far, about 50 hours have been earned among six students!

“I loved working with wood and getting to know the other members more. I am glad I put myself out there!”

- Isaac Davis, WFHS Key Club member

When completed, the club plans on working with elementary students on the placements of the tables and teaching them about the importance of compassion and inclusivity.

We love to see the impact of individual clubs around the Florida District!

Every service project is important and deserves to be celebrated. Fill out the Service Spotlight form on the District website to be featured on our website, blog, or Instagram!

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NEW RESOURCE Governor Alejandro has been hard at work creating an extensive map of every Kiwanis Club, Key Club, and CKI Club in the Florida District. This is a great way to look for more clubs that could be chartered and connect with fellow clubs around your area. You can access the map on the District website under resources.

FOLLOW OUR INSTAGRAM

@flkeyclub 21

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG:

Key’p Up!

From Executive series to indepth service project articles, Key’p Up is a great way to learn and share Key Club news. If you would like to be featured, or have an idea for a post you’d like to you, reach out to Editor Willow And Webmaster Eleanor!

Find Key’p Up and all of our articles on our website!

CONTACT INFORMATION Executive Committee:

Administrators:

Governor Alejandro Ganaza governoralejandro@floridakeyclub.org

District Administrator Heather Locke heather@floridakeyclub.org

Secretary Daniela Aguas secretary@floridakeyclub.org

Assistant District Admin. Alan Quon alanquon@floridakeyclub.org

Treasurer Issa Allison treasurer@floridakeyclub.org

Assistant Administrator Jose Leoncio jose@floridakeyclub.org

Editor Willow Young editor@floridakeyclub.org

Finance Administrator Steve Leblanc steve@floridakeyclub.org

Webmaster Eleanor Koh webmaster@floridakeyclub.org

Stay Connected!

Executive Assistant Rose Khosh ea@floridakeyclub.org

@flkeyclub

www.floridakeyclub.org

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Florida District of Key Club International Published September 2024